Any cyclist who takes the sport seriously has ever thought about putting together a cycling team, both for professional competition and to train and build a cycling team.
In the case of competition, as in any endeavor, doubts of various types arise, especially those related to more technical and bureaucratic aspects.
With that in mind, we have prepared this article to answer the most frequently asked questions and, thus, start building a cycling team on the right foot or, in this case, on the right pedal.
CYCLING TEAM: WHY BUILD ONE?
It is normal for someone who has been cycling for a long time and discovers that they have the skills for the sport to want to enter a competition. Although many modalities can be practiced individually, when competing it is necessary to have a cycling team, especially in road cycling.
The point is this: road cycling is a team sport, and each member is part of the team to fulfill a role. Otherwise, the chances of winning are minimal.
To enter a competition, it is essential to know, consider and think about the following:
- The performance of each team member.
- The route details.
- The strategy.
Knowing the level of experience and performance of each member, it is possible to define the role that each of them will assume in the competition. This, plus knowledge of the details of the route, allows for a strategy to be drawn up.
To compete, a cycling team must have at least 3 members: the gregarious, the passista, and the sprinter. The gregarious is the support, the dancer is the one who sets the pace, and the sprinter is that cyclist who appears at the end and gives everything to win the competition.
Generally, the strategy consists of defining who will be the leader or captain of the cycling team, that is, the sprinter. The goal is for the leader to tire as little as possible so that, closer to the finish line, he can go ahead and win the competition.
There are several strategies for the sprinter not to get so tired during the race. The most popular is for the leader not to experience much air resistance. For that, the teammates stay ahead and he can go in the vacuum of the team.
Another function of teammates, especially gregarious ones, is also to get water or anything the leader needs. For that, behind the peloton there is a support car with the available elements.
If the leader has a technical problem, he can change bikes or parts with a teammate.
Another very popular strategy is for a teammate to accelerate and take the lead separate from the team. This will make other teams speed up and so the team can take advantage of the vacuum left by them. If the other teams don’t accelerate and the teammate wins the competition, even better.
It is not necessary for the leader to always be the same person, or to be only one person. The choice of leader depends, for example, on the strategy or terrain where the dispute takes place.
BEFORE COMPETITION: ATTITUDES AND RULES
It’s good to consider some important tips before even thinking about entering a competition.
First, the commitment. Assemble a group and practice regularly, otherwise you will never finish knowing the performance of each member. The joint knowledge of the possibilities of the cycling team and each member can be decisive when making a quick decision in competition, which can be the dividing line between victory and defeat.
Second, give your team an identity. A name, uniform, Facebook fanpage, WhatsApp group. Officialize your team and generate a sense of belonging in the members.
Thirdly, it is necessary to know what the Brazilian Cycling Confederation requires to assemble a team.
